Gary's Deliveries

 Tuesday 30th Dec '25 Route Overview This last leg of the Nordhavn 76 delivery was a short but operationally sensitive transit from Nongsa Point Marina into Singapore waters, finishing at Raffles Marina . The final passage of a 5000nm trip! Departure was at first light to manage traffic density in the Singapore Strait , one of the most commercially congested shipping corridors in the world. Even on a short passage, timing matters. The route involved a westbound exit into the Strait before turning north through the channel separating Malaysia and Singapore, finishing just south of the Johor–Singapore Causeway. For a 76-foot long-range motor yacht, this is not technically demanding in terms of range or endurance. The challenge is traffic management, AIS monitoring, radar plotting, and disciplined bridge watchkeeping. Commercial vessels move fast and with limited manoeuvrability. Positioning decisions must be made early. Routing Decisions This delivery follows earlier offshore work...

  Monday 29th Dec '25 Arrived at the entrance to Nongsa Point Marina, Batam Island, Indonesia at 09:00, waited till we got the all clear to go in.  Put the boat on to berth number B6 with 1/2 a metre either space either side between a dock and an 80ft boat which was very tight, just as well we have bow and stern thrusters and they were working overtime for this docking.   Then it was off to the office to do the paperwork and pay the silly money to berth for 1 night and clear in/out.  NZ$650 was the total for those 2 things! An hour or so later we had a visit from a Customs guy to come onboard to take photos of the main engine, the auxiliary engine, VF radio which showed our unique MMSI number, if you don't know what that is, don't ask :-) then he went up to the fly bridge and took photos of both radar units.  That was it - very strange.  12:45 now and waiting for all our paperwork to come back from the marina office, including our passports then it wil...

Day 21 of this Nordhavn 76 yacht delivery from Cairns to Singapore positioned us off Batam Island , staging for final arrival into Singapore waters. Anchorage Selection – Shelter and Security Initial arrival into a bay on the eastern side of a small island at 14:30 revealed excessive residual swell. Rather than accept unnecessary roll at anchor, we relocated to the western side between two islands where the landmass provided effective protection. Anchor was set at 15:30 in well-sheltered water. Following seven days of sustained sea state, the vessel required a full exterior freshwater washdown. Salt accumulation accelerates corrosion, particularly in tropical humidity. Cleaning commenced from the upper superstructure downward, ensuring exhaust stack, rails, and decks were cleared. Security considerations in parts of the Indonesian archipelago remain relevant. Opportunistic boarding incidents have been reported in certain corridors. Standard protocol included: All access poin...

Arafura Sea / Indonesian Throughflow The last 2 days we have had wind and short sharp chop waves on the nose.  We do have hydraulic stabilisers which really help to stop the rolling from side to side but does not stop the nose from lifting with the wave and dropping over the back of it into the next wave.  This has meant the last 2 days have been slightly unpleasant.  I was almost thrown out of my bunk a couple of times and made sleeping challenging. Thankfully Christmas day has brought a bit of a reprieve from the waves as they have settled down overnight and allowed us to go from an average speed of 5.5kts to 7.2kts and that was without changing the rpm.   Christmas Eve is the main day that the Germans, Estonians and probably a few other countries have as the main day they celebrate Christmas, not Christmas Day itself.  It's the day that families get together and the day that the presents are handed out and opened.  The 2 crew who are full time and b...

Nordhavn 76 Yacht Delivery – Passage into Bali and Weather Hold at Benoa Marina Twelve days into this Nordhavn 76 yacht delivery toward Singapore, conditions shifted as we approached Indonesia. After an extended period of favourable weather, the final 36 hours presented consistent head seas of approximately two metres, short period, directly on the bow. At a steady 8 knots under power, the vessel remained structurally comfortable, but motion increased significantly. Short, closely spaced seas are inefficient for progress and demanding on crew rest cycles. On long-range motor yacht deliveries, fatigue management becomes a priority once sleep quality degrades. The Nordhavn 76’s full-displacement hull handles this type of sea state predictably. However, even a heavy passagemaker will pitch when running into tight head seas. Engine load, cooling temperatures, and stabilisation performance are monitored closely during extended periods of bow impact to protect mechanical systems. Arrival St...

Wednesday 17th Dec '25 I have been keeping a very close eye on the weather forecast which is changeable to say the least! Managing routing is determined by frequent weather updates on yacht deliveries . There were 2 lows forming and as of yesterday they were forecast to turn from east to south away from Indonesia and into the big open sea then build into cyclones with up to 135kt winds.  Although we would not be hit by these cyclones we would potentially be effected by the waves produced. I checked again this morning and 2 has changed into 1.  Like I said, changeable. So with that in mind and although the conditions don't look too bad I had decided, as always, to be cautious and dive into Bali for a couple or more days and wait till things look a little more predictable or settled as the next leg from Bali to the channel were we change course from west to north into the more sheltered area is 650nm which is 3.5 days motoring.  As there are very few places to hide along th...

 Sunday 14th Dec '25 Arafura Sea Transit – Low Activity, High Vigilance Three days into this leg of the delivery , progress has been steady and uneventful — which, offshore, is exactly the objective. Approximately 600 nautical miles have been covered since departing Thursday Island , placing the vessel now roughly north of Darwin . Over this period, traffic density has been effectively zero, with no commercial shipping or fishing activity encountered. This level of isolation is typical in this sector of the Arafura Sea and reinforces the need for disciplined watchkeeping despite the absence of visible hazards. During the previous night watch, the vessel was overflown at low altitude by an Australian Border Force aircraft. This type of identification pass is standard procedure, allowing authorities to visually confirm vessel details before making radio contact. A brief exchange followed, confirming the vessel’s identity, origin, and intended destination — information already file...

Thursday 11th Dec '25 Vessel Route The transit north along the Queensland coast was completed inside the Great Barrier Reef, providing sheltered conditions and predictable sea states. This route consistently offers a controlled environment for northbound passages, particularly for heavy displacement motor yachts where steady progress and reduced fatigue are priorities. At the northern tip of Australia, the vessel altered course west at Cape York , passing Thursday Island during the early hours. From this point, the passage transitioned from coastal navigation to open-water routing toward Southeast Asia.      Weather Conditions and Arafura Sea Crossing Conditions to date have been exceptionally stable. Wind has been minimal, and where present, has remained predominantly astern, with corresponding following seas. These conditions are ideal for a displacement yacht of this size, allowing efficient progress with minimal motion. As the vessel crosses the  Arafura Sea ,...

 Nordhavn 76 Delivery: Cairns to Singapore – Operational Reality Over Convenience Plans to spend time in the Caribbean are often vulnerable to one thing: the movement of high-value yachts. After arriving in Martinique on 28 November, Yacht Delivery Solutions received a message from an owner whose vessel I had delivered earlier in the year from Bora Bora to Fiji. The yacht in question was a Nordhavn 76 trawler motor yacht , a long-range displacement vessel designed for serious offshore work. The owner needed the boat delivered from Cairns to Singapore , with a targeted departure window of 8–9 December . With a vessel of this scale and specification, opportunities are time-sensitive. Weather windows, crew availability, and clearance logistics dictate the schedule — not personal travel plans. Within 24 hours, flights were booked and the Caribbean stopover was abandoned.                             ...

 Sunday 9th Nov '25 After a couple of days in Las Palmas doing some provisioning, refuling, buying spares and doing a couple of repairs it was time to leave. Belinda, the owner, decided that the big passages were not for her so she booked a flight to Martinique via Madrid and Paris.  She also took Coco the dog with her.  Now Coco is the cutest and most loving dog you could meet and she gives cuddles as good as our dog Tori so I am going to miss her!                                                         We got some final items from the shop this morning, stowed everything, lifted the anchor and out we went.  Heading down and around to the bottom of Gran Canaria into 20-25ktrs of wind from behind and a decent little chop.   After a few hours we finally managed to get the nose pointing down sort of in the direction ...

The last 24–36 hours of this Pacific 62 yacht delivery from Opua to Bundaberg have been the most demanding of the passage. The low developing south of New Caledonia deepened more than earlier forecast guidance suggested. As a result, we received stronger wind and larger sea state than initially expected. Tactical Course Adjustment – Running With the System As the wind veered into the northeast and strengthened, sea state built quickly. Rather than hold a direct northwesterly course toward Bundaberg, we altered progressively to keep wind and sea aft of the beam. That tactical decision placed us temporarily on a southwesterly heading, trending toward Lord Howe Island , despite Bundaberg lying to the northwest. The objective was straightforward: Avoid beam seas in 4–5 meter conditions Reduce roll and structural loading Maintain steerage with controlled stern-quarter alignment At peak intensity, gusts reached 40 knots with breaking waves exceeding 5 meters. Speed, ...

 Mid-passage on this Pacific 62 yacht delivery from Opua to Bundaberg -  conditions have shifted from manageable following swell to more dynamic quartering seas. Overnight wind remained moderate at 10–15 knots, but 2–2.5 metre swell from the aft quarter created significant yaw. The vessel was repeatedly lifted and slewed to port before dropping off the back of the wave and attempting to round to starboard. The Garmin autopilot corrected effectively each cycle, but the result was continuous lateral oscillation. This “yo-yo” motion is typical when quartering seas interact with hull form and speed. It is not dangerous when controlled, but it is uncomfortable and requires speed discipline to reduce surf acceleration and stern lift. Speed Control and Surfing Management By midday Saturday wind increased to 20+ knots, with sea state building. With energy from the aft quarter, the Pacific 62 briefly surfed to 17.1 knots. For delivery work, that speed is excessive. Surf-induced accel...

Arrival in Denarau – A Seamless Welcome for the Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 By Gary, Delivery Skipper at Yacht Delivery Solutions Date: Friday, June 20th, 2025 We made excellent time during the final hours of our passage, and I'm thrilled to report that we safely arrived in Denarau, Fiji , yesterday, Friday. Our estimated arrival was spot on! The approach to Denarau was straightforward, and the process of checking in was, as always, a pleasure. Fijian Customs and Immigration officials are consistently welcoming and efficient, making for a very smooth and positive experience after a long offshore passage. This seamless clearance process is something our yacht delivery skipper teams appreciate greatly, as it means a quick transition from sea to shore for the crew and the owner. The Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 looked pristine as she pulled into her berth, a testament to her robust build and the care taken throughout the journey. This catamaran delivery from Auckland to Fiji has been a ...

  Moderating Seas and Anticipation Builds for Fiji on the Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 By Gary, Delivery Skipper at Yacht Delivery Solutions It's now 19:00 on Monday night, and we're pleased to report that conditions are slowly but steadily settling down. The forecast indicates that both the wind and sea state will continue to drop a little through the night, promising a calmer approach to our destination. This moderation is a welcome relief after several days of intense and dynamic weather. The Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 has continued to perform in her stride through everything the Pacific has thrown at us. This catamaran has proven itself to be an incredibly capable and comfortable offshore cruiser, giving us full confidence as we approach the final leg of this yacht delivery. The ability of the vessel to handle significant seas while still providing a relatively stable platform for the crew has been a defining feature of this passage. As the weather improves, a palpable sense of ...

  Continuing the Dynamic Passage – Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47's Resilience By Gary, Delivery Skipper at Yacht Delivery Solutions Date: Tuesday, June 17th, 2025 Today, the dynamic conditions persisted, though not quite with the same intensity as last night's peak. We continued to experience 20-30 knots of wind and substantial seas, often exceeding 4 meters. Fortunately, these waves remained predominantly from aft of the beam . You can see the angle of the hull. While this still meant a lively ride, throwing us around a bit, it prevented the jarring impacts of head-on seas that can be so punishing on any vessel. The Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 continued to handle these conditions with impressive resilience. Her robust construction and stable catamaran platform meant that even as large waves built and occasionally broke into the cockpit, the boat remained composed, shedding water quickly through its efficient drainage system. These are the moments that truly test a vessel's desig...

 A Low's Eye View and a Wild Night on the Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 By Gary, Delivery Skipper at Yacht Delivery Solutions Date: Monday, June 16th, 2025 Today brought one of the most remarkable and intense experiences of this yacht delivery so far. During the daytime hours, we found ourselves in an eerily calm pocket of weather. With only about 5 knots of wind and bright sunshine, it felt idyllic. However, looking around, it was strikingly clear that we were in the very 'eye' of a low-pressure system. A distinct ring of dark grey and black clouds encircled us, a dramatic meteorological phenomenon that underscored our unique position. It was a visual spectacle – clear blue skies directly above, surrounded by an ominous atmospheric cauldron. Then, as the day progressed into night, the system hit. Within the astonishing span of just ten minutes, the winds surged to over 30 knots, and that intensity held throughout the entire night. At one point during my night watch, we recorded...

Riding the Swell – The Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 Takes on the Pacific Waves By Gary, Delivery Skipper at Yacht Delivery Solutions Today has offered a powerful demonstration of the Pacific's might and the exceptional seakeeping abilities of the Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 . We've been experiencing increasingly significant swell originating from the south. While wave heights have at times reached an impressive 5 meters, our good fortune is that they are coming from behind us, providing a long, rolling motion rather than the jarring impact of head seas. The Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 , being a well-designed catamaran , handles these large following seas with remarkable grace. Instead of hobby-horsing, she simply lifts and surfs down the face of the waves, allowing us to maintain excellent speeds. It's exhilarating to feel the boat accelerate to 14 knots on the speedo as she rides a particularly large swell! The occasional wave might break and spill into the aft cockpit, providing an...